[Yet another African attacks human story]
Thu, October 30, 2008
Fear not, poisonous snake is dead, cops say
By ROSS ROMANIUK, SUN MEDIA
Stop looking under your beds and inside closets -- the deadly snake that recently bit and nearly killed a Winnipeg man is dead.
That's what city police said yesterday of the long-fanged
West African gaboon viper, which authorities had long searched for following its strike on the face of its 31-year-old victim earlier this month.
"The remains of the snake have not been located. However, investigators are confident that this information is accurate," Const. Jacqueline Chaput said of the discovery the reptile was killed and its carcass "disposed of" by unspecified acquaintances of the victim shortly after the Oct. 19 bite.
Contrary to initial police suspicions that the bite incident occurred in rural Manitoba, the venomous snake was allegedly kept by the victim at his Winnipeg home -- in violation of a city bylaw restricting or prohibiting exotic creatures.
The man, who was released from hospital days ago and whom police have refused to identify, faces a charge under the bylaw and a possible fine of up to $1,000 if convicted.
It may be a small price to pay for the man, considering he was bitten on the face by one of the world's deadliest snake species. One strike can kill a human within minutes or result in severe tissue damage requiring amputation or plastic surgery.
"This could have had fatal circumstances," said Chaput. "I think a fine is something that one would welcome -- and have your life, rather than have tragic consequences."
The victim, described as a snake enthusiast, was driven by a friend to St. Boniface General Hospital following the incident. Despite his injury, the man was able to tell staff what had happened.
ANITVENIN CREDITED
Antivenin flown in from Toronto is credited with saving the life of the man, who slipped into critical condition at the hospital.
Police refused to give details of the nature of the death of the snake, whose species can grow to two metres long.
The latest bite is one of only a handful of such incidents in the past two decades in Winnipeg.
Police have not speculated as to how the bite occurred, though Chaput said the specifics "will eventually come out" when the case goes to court.
Chaput pointed out police went to great lengths to ensure the snake wasn't slithering among the public.
"There was a team of detectives assigned to this," she said.
"It was a public safety issue, and we did everything we could to ensure the snake was located. I know it's not located, but we are confident that it's deceased."
http://www.winnipegsun.com/News/Winn...47131-sun.html